Epilogue

Out of the corner of Arata’s eye, he saw the witch hunter’s blade sweep towards Shinutcha. Of course to them, she was just another witch. He looked for Crowsbane, but only the tip protruded from Turushno's carcass. His hook was lost in the stall. All of what he just did, only to be taken away an instant later. The world was cruel, it took Chiyo and Kiyone from him the same way. All of his effort, for naught. By now he should have made peace with it, he knew he would get burned by it again.

But he couldn't. He refused.

If Shinutcha would burn, he would burn first so she could see how the flames rose. If she would fight, he would give her his sword. And if she needed a shield, that’s what he would be.

The sword cut into Arata’s outstretched arm, broke through both bones, and arced out the other side at just the right angle to miss Shinutcha’s hair. Arata’s charcoal hand fell to the ground, still holding the scalp. Shinutcha shrank inwards.

“I am not enchanted.” He didn’t know where he found the energy, “I am not enchanted.” “I know she’s not my daughter.”

Other witch hunters reached for their katanas and he cut them a glare. He looked into Aose's eyes as his own blooded coated his katana. They let him finish

“Her name is Shinutcha. She has been under my care for the past two months. You saw how she helped me, she can help us, she can help everyone in this city.” Shinutcha remained still, her exposed skull gaping in terror. He stretched his half-arm out towards her as if it would stop any more swords. “She is our only chance to end this siege. Cut her down and you will have to cut me down next.”

Nagami pushed to the front, judging the scene from on high. Arata wondered what she saw, a colluder or a hero.

“You always did have something to hide.” She levelled a sword to his face, scanning the scene with an even gaze. “We can decide that ourselves after an interrogation.”

Arata hissed out a breath he had held in for far too long. Pain rushed in to fill the gap. This was their only option, he should have seen it would come to this. “Just leave her until afterwards. I want to be there during it.” Nagami looked to Aose, Aose nodded.

Shinutcha fought as the witch hunters approached, all teeth and claws, like the animal he met the first time. Arata wished he could hold her hand to reassure her, but it was too late for that. He said what came to his mind. "It will be fine. This won't be forever." He tried to comfort her but it came out hollow. He couldn't say what would happen for sure but he would give every part of him up to make it easier for her.

Maybe that was called enchantment. Maybe it was called fatherhood.

***

“This witch colluder can use demon fire even without witches? Really?” The daimyo leant forward in his chair, eyes narrowing towards Arata.

“Yes, my lord.” He replied, still bowing, “From what we can deduce from the scene, no witches were present at the scene of the scalping. We are looking into whether there were any witches involved in these events or whether they were here for a different purpose.”

“Deduced? Did your pet witch tell you this?”

Arata bent his head up a degree, looking from the daimyo to his father standing beside and back. “Yes, my lord, and, if I may be so bold, her name is Shinutcha. She is a valuable member of this investigation. I say this on my honour as her handler.”

He didn’t need to see the daimyo to tell that he bristled at that but let it pass. With two Shibagakis in the room, he was outnumbered. “Well that means all the more reason to have an execution by the end of the month, I trust you will be able to find an accomplice.”

“With the raid on Korinen temple later today, we are confident we will be able to route this colluder out.”

“Aren’t we all colluders by now, eh?” The daimyo found his own quip funny enough that his retainers had to audibly stifle a chortle. “Once it is done I want a full report, Shibagaki. And it will be done well.”

“Of course, my lord.” Arata dismissed himself and left the castle. Outside, Shinutcha waited with Aose, her face thankfully reattached.

“Thank you for watching her.” Arata said with a pat on Shinutcha’s head. If she stepped foot inside of the castle, no amount of interrogations would be able to save her.

“To be honest, I’m still struggling to understand what she’s saying.” Aose clipped the chain to Arata’s belt and the little witch lost a fraction of her shyness.

Arata scooped her up into his arm as they walked out the gate. Citizens still gave them stares, it would be a long time until any of them felt comfortable around a witch. Shinutcha turned to him to escape their glares.

“Must I wait yet more today?” She asked, fiddling with the manacle.

“Only for a little, but I’ll be there with you,” Arata replied, his voice as soothing as he could make it, “And afterwards, there are two people I would like you to meet.”